Weekly review of the Hip-Hop and R&B sales/charts.

This week we're seeing how a little bit (or a lot, rather) of media coverage can go a long way. While we have new entries from Michael Jackson (Xscape) and Iamsu! (Sincerely Yours), we're also seeing a few classic albums re-enter the Billboard 200, plus there's the aftermath of the Solange/Jay Z elevator blow out. With MJ back on peoples' minds, not only did Xscape make a strong debut at #2, but other albums from the reigning King of Pop reappeared on the 200-- his greatest hits LP Number Ones sits at #28, while another compilation, The Essential Michael Jackson, pops up at #67. That's not all though, MJ's Thriller is also charting at #70. Another classic album we've seen re-enter the charts is Dr. Dre's 2001, perhaps thanks to his recent press coverage concerning the sale of Beats Electronics to Apple. Finally, Solange Knowles benefited from her public beef with brother-in-law Jay Z, according to HHDX her digital sales saw a major spike this week, up to 2,000 from last week's 600. A bit of publicity, good or bad, seems to help an artist move more records.

1) Michael Jackson— Xscape: The late King of Pop posthumously dropped a new album Xscape, whcich reworks previously-recorded tracks from MJ with top-notch producers like Timbaland. The album proves, although gone, Michael Jackson still rules, as he debuts on the Billboard 200 at #2 and moves 157,000 copies opening week.

2) Pharrell Williams— G I R L: Skateboard P dropped 7 spots from last week’s resting place of #6, now at #13. The singer moved 15,573 units while his total sales climbed up to 387,195.

3) Iggy Azalea—The New Classic: Iggy’s debut album may not be a classic, but it is keeping afloat on the Billboard 200 while Future’s album, which dropped the same day, continues to fall off. The New Classic actually rose up one spot this week to #14, and sold 15,234 units with total sales of 105,658.

4) Eminem— The Marshall Mathers LP 2: Slowly but surely Eminem is descending the ranks of the Billboard chart, dropping just one spot to #31 this week after spending 28 weeks charting. The mega-rapper shipped out 8,640 copies, bring his grand tally to 2,107,750 units.

5) Future— Honest: Future’s sophomore LP made a strong debut alongside Iggy Azalea, however it may not hold up in the long run. This week the album continues to drop down, coming in right below Em at #32 (down from #23). The rapper sold 8,447 units, with total sales not even reaching 100k yet, at 92,951.

6) Tech N9ne— Strangeulation: Strange Music’s collaboration compilation debuted last week at #5, but after a 2nd week on the charts it comes in at #33. Considering Tech N9ne’s fanbase is largely underground, this isn’t too bad of a showing from the rapper and crew. This week the album sold 8,312 copies which was a drop in sales of 77%, while total sales of LP are at 44,084.

7) August Alsina— Testimony: August Alsina’s debut album fell more than 10 spots this week, moving down from #35 to #48. The r’n’b singer sold around 6,165 units this week, which is a drop in sales of 27%. He’s been charting for 5 weeks time.

8) Iamsu!— Sincerely Yours: Iamsu! delivered his debut album without much noise the other week, and with a relatively lukewarm reception. Nonetheless the album makes a Billboard debut this week, coming in at #50. Su sold 5,832 copies this week.

9) Atmosphere— Southsiders: We saw Atmosphere debut near the top of the Billboard 200 (alongside Tech N9ne) last week, but for the duo’s second week charting they fell quite a bit down to #51, equalling a 75% drop in sales.

10) YG— My Krazy Life: YG continues to big it for Compton, although My Krazy Life dropped down 10 spots this week. After spending 9 weeks on the charts, YG was able to move 5,632 units.

Michael Jackson may have a new album on the charts, but he’s also got an old one, with his greatest hits compilation Number Ones re-entering the chart at #28, and moving 9,441 copies. In other re-entry news, Dr. Dre’s classic 2001 found its way back in the Billboard 200 as well, emerging at #94, following news of the good doctor selling Beats to Apple. Rick Ross’ Mastermind is still up there as well, sitting comfortably at #49. ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron is below Rozay dropping from #59 to #69.